Tipperary 3 - 12 Dublin 0 - 12
A nine point margin gives a misleading impression of this game which was an excellent contest from start to finish. Great scores, fantastic defending and some wonderful individual displays.
Given Dublin's difficult league campaign, this performance might not have been expected but for the first time since the side returned to senior championship action, the team gave a display that was impressive for the quality of play, some excellent scores and an honesty in the performance that was most encouraging.
Dublin set out their stall from the throw-in and inside a minute and a half had notched two fine points from play. The first from the excellent Ciara Burgess after 52 second followed a half a minute later by a great point from Áine Fanning.
Eimer Shanahan and Claire Grogan levelled the game before Dublin were hit with a blow when Sarah Fryday grabbed a goal for Tipperary in the 9th minute.
But whereas on another day Dublin's heads might have dropped, the side responded with the next two points. First a long delivery by Louise O'Hara was won by Amy Murphy who finished with a neat point.
Áine Fanning was working extremely hard in the corner forward spot and set up Ciara Burgess for another great point.
Although aided by a slight breeze, Dublin's performance owed much more to a commendable work ethic which saw every single player on the field put in a string of blocks, hooks and turnovers that explained a large part of the reason why Dublin were much more competitive in this game.
Helen Cosgrave was very composed in goals behind the wholehearted Tara Corrigan, Sarah Ryan and Elaine O'Meara. The half-line of Catriona Power, Alison Maguire and Danielle Smith were also battling strongly and with a decent supply Dublin's forwards were able to turn possession into scores.
Tipperary were clearly rattled by the challenge. Their frailty could have been seriously threatened if Dublin could have managed a goal or two. The best chance fell to Áine Fanning but ball didn't rise and the opportunity was lost - two frees also slipped past the posts but a superb effort from 45m from near the touchline by Louise O'Hare was a great score.
At midfield, the superb Ciara Burgess ably assisted by championship first timer Emer McCarthy gave Dublin the edge and Emer's first championship score levelled the match in the 17th minute. But Noreen Flanagan and Jill Horan restored Tipp's advantage with two fine points of their own.
At the break, Dublin trailed by 1 -5 to 0 - 7.
The game effectively drifted out of Dublin's reach in the first 13 minutes of the second half when the visitors notched 1 - 5 without reply. Dublin 'keeper Helen Cosgrave was unlucky as in a 50:50 race for the ball she was pipped by Sarah Fryday.
Tipperary had now opened a 9 points gap but for the remaining 24 minutes Dublin matched the Munster side and scored 5 points to Tipp's 1-2.
With Helen Cosgrave's puck-outs not travelling as far due to the breeze and a superb second half by Tipp midfielder Jill Horan, Dublin had great difficulty getting into the opposition's half of the field.
The Tipperary defensive line was eventually breached when Áine Fanning fired over a great point in the 45th minute and Dublin were once again driving forward.
Louise O'Hara was exerting a growing influence on the game and Fiona Hayes, Miriam Twomey and Mairi Moynihan were fighting tigerishly for every ball.
Goals were going to be needed and it looked like Amy Murphy had suddenly found space to threaten the net but the otherwise excellent referee Owen Elliott pulled her up and awarded a free out. From the resultant free Tipperary created the chance for Jill Horan to point for the third time. A goal at that stage would have given Dublin a huge impetus. Sarah Ryan showed tremendous leadership in the corner back spot and the number of occasions she broke up play was impressive.
In the next two minutes, Ali Twomey (a debut), Elaine Gallery (another debut) and Ciara Durkan entered the fray and they too picked up where the others had left off.
Three points by Louise O'Hara (two frees) were inspirational as the game entered 7 minutes of added time. Another followed from Ciara Burgess as the game entered the final seconds. A two goals defeat would have been a disappointment but unfortunately, Tipp put together a fine move that saw Noreen Flanagan goal from close range.
Dublin can take positives from the tremendous workrate which is an essential for success at any level. From that basis, the team was able to create chances and build confidence. The more Dublin imposed themselves on the game the less the opposition liked it.
Tipperary had the edge in one or two departments where the pace of Jill Horan and Sarah Fryday and the excellence of Sabrina Larkin at full-back stood out.
But Dublin will take heart from the fact that six players scored from play; their use of the ball was much improved and the support play was also another feature that showed progress. Well done to all concerned.
Player of the Match: Ciara Burgess
Helen Cosgrave, Elaine O'Meara, Tara Corrigan, Sarah Ryan, Danielle Smith, Ali Maguire, Catriona Power, Ciara Burges (0-3), Emer McCarthy (0-1), Mairi Moynihan, Fiona Hayes, Louise O'Hara (0-5, 3f, 1 45), Áine Fanning (0-2), Amy Murphy (0-1), Miriam Twomey
Subs: Ali Twomey; Elaine Gallery; Ciara Durkan